Dorstenia contrajerva
Dorstenia contrajerva, commonly known as "contrajerba," is a significant medicinal plant native to various tropical regions. Valued in traditional medicine, it is frequently utilized for its diverse therapeutic properties, particularly in treating digestive ailments and inflammatory conditions. Understanding its botanical characteristics and bioactive compounds is essential for exploring its healing potential.
- Scientific name: Dorstenia contrajerva
- Family: Moraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known as Dorstenia contrajerva, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Rosalales. Finally, it is a member of the family Moraceae and the genus Dorstenia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Moraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dorstenia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Dorslenia contrajerva, is known by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Arabic, it is referred to as دورستينيا كونتراجيرفا, while in Indonesian, it is commonly called Tusuk konde perak. Additionally, in Chinese, the plant is identified by the names 厚叶盘花木 and 厚叶琉桑.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| arz | دورستينيا كونتراجيرفا | Wikidata |
| id | Tusuk konde perak | Wikidata |
| zh | 厚叶盘花木 | Wikidata |
| zh | 厚叶琉桑 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a remarkably wide and fragmented geographical distribution across several global regions. In Eastern Asia, it can be found specifically within the Ogasawara-shoto islands. Its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in India, and into Indo-China, particularly in Vietnam. Within the Malesia region, the species is present in Jawa. Surprisingly, the plant also reaches as far west as the Southeastern United States, specifically in Florida.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Asia | Ogasawara-shoto | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Dorsetnia contrajerba, is a medicinal species where therapeutic properties are derived from various components of its structure. In many traditional applications, the whole plant is utilized to capture the full spectrum of its bioactive compounds. Furthermore, the aerial parts, including the leaves and stems, are frequently harvested and processed for medicinal preparations, offering a concentrated source of its natural healing qualities.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dorstenia contrajerva has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include catechin, epicatechin.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dorstenia contrajerva has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Giardia lamblia, cutaneous leishmaniasis, dysentery.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Giardia lamblia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cutaneous leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |